The Pittsburgh Pirates host the Chicago Cubs on July 26, 2026. First pitch from PNC Park is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EDT. The game will be broadcast on SportsNet PT.
The Pirates are -122 on the moneyline. The Cubs are +104 on the moneyline. The total is set at 9 runs.
Find my MLB picks and Cubs vs Pirates prediction below, as well as probable pitchers, weather report, and more.
Cubs vs Pirates Prediction
- Cubs vs Pirates Pick: Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 HRR | Esmerlyn Valdez Home Run
Cubs vs Pirates Odds
| Cubs Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
-1.5 +164 | 9 -105o / -115u | +104 |
| Pirates Odds | ||
|---|---|---|
| Spread | Total | Moneyline |
+1.5 -200 | 9 -105o / -115u | -122 |
Cubs vs Pirates Probable Pitchers
| Jameson Taillon (RHP, CHC) | Stat | Braxton Ashcraft (RHP, PIT) |
|---|---|---|
| 2-5 | W-L | 9-4 |
| -0.8 | fWAR (FanGraphs) | 2.5 |
| 5.38 / 5.43 | ERA / xERA | 3.95 / 3.55 |
| 6.40 / 4.73 | FIP / xFIP | 3.53 / 3.25 |
| 13.0% | K-BB% | 21.2% |
| 35.0% | GB% | 42.9% |
| .249 | BABIP | .306 |
| 93 | Stuff+ | 105 |
| 102 | Location+ | 107 |
Cubs vs Pirates MLB Betting Preview
The Cubs and Pirates will square off on Sunday afternoon to conclude a three-game divisional set at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. Braxton Ashcraft will take the mound for the Bucs, while Jameson Taillon will start for the Cubbies.
I expect plenty of runs in this matchup, and thus am looking toward the player prop market.
Ashcraft leans pretty heavily on his four-seamer, throwing it around 32% of the time.
Unfortunately for him, Pete Crow-Armstrong smashes fastballs. And he smashes right-handed pitching (147 wRC+).
So, it’s no surprise that PCA is 4-for-9 lifetime off Ashcraft.
I’m betting on him to continue his hot streak and dominance against Ashcraft.
I’m also looking to fade Taillon, who has recorded a dreadful 5.38 ERA across 72 frames this season. Taillon is especially vulnerable to big power threats, as he’s a fly-ball pitcher who’s allowed a whopping 22 homers this season.
That’s why I think Pittsburgh youngster Esmerlyn Valdez could find some success at the plate on Sunday afternoon.
Valdez has smashed seven homers in his past 10 games and is currently one of the hottest hitters in baseball — he’s running a 1.098 OPS!
Taillon’s batted-ball profile is a mess, and Valdez is on a heater. I’m willing to bet on those two trends in this matchup.
Picks: Pete Crow-Armstrong Over 1.5 HRR | Esmerlyn Valdez Home Run
